National Organizations/Agencies

In 1988, Congress passed the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act to address the "boarder baby" phenomenon, wherein infants, particularly those perinatally exposed to drugs or HIV, reside in hospitals indefinitely due to difficulties in locating appropriate living arrangements. This legislation, which is administered by the Children's Bureau , provides funding to support the Resource Center and direct service projects. The program provides grants to support service programs that prevent the abandonment of children and to identify and address the needs of infants and young children, particularly those with HIV or AIDS and drug exposure.

The mission of the National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center is to enhance the quality of social and health services delivered to children who are abandoned or at-risk of abandonment due to the presence of drugs and/or HIV in the family. The Resource Center provides training, information, support, and resources to service providers who assist these children and their families. Information specific to drug affected newborns can be found at:

Department of Health and Human Services: Children's Bureau

Provides access to information on promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. Search the entire site by topic, locate Children's Bureau-sponsored conferences, and find details about the Children's Bureau's various Divisions. Other enhancements include:

Project funded by: Children's Bureau, of Health and Human Services. Grant # 90-CB-0154
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions presented by this website are solely those of the project members do not necessarily represent those of the funding agency.